CONCLUSION 



creatures where the great Creator placed 

 them, how miserable it is to see them 

 stuffed and stuck to an eternal perch behind 

 the glass doors of the collector's case ! 



It is of absorbing interest to note the 

 birds and their pretty ways, each so individ- 

 ual and characteristic of its kind. One day 

 a pair of cedar-birds alighted on the table 

 usually devoted to the pugilistic finches, 

 who were carrying on their customary 

 quarrels over every mouthful. The cedar- 

 birds are very aristocratic and well bred, 

 and exceedingly particular in matters of 

 deportment. Mrs. Cedar-bird was evidently 

 too shocked to eat, and each time a pair of 

 finches showed signs of pecking at each 

 other, she would move away a trifle, like a 

 fine lady drawing her skirts away from those 

 of a scrubwoman, and stare loftily at the 

 offenders, as one who would say, "What 

 223 



